Tuesday, February 8, 2011

This was $16 at K&L. Looking around to find out some info about this estate, you find one of the harshest tasting notes I've seen from the Wine Doctor. Of course, he's talking about the 07 version of this wine, but still. Not exactly what I'm looking for in a wine. Anyways, 100% Cab Franc, aged in tank. As of 07, this estate is completely organic. Threw a ton of sediment at the end. At first, pretty harsh. After the course of a couple of hours, this wine opens up to reveal raspberries and plums as well as some mineral undertones. Powdery with high acidity and distinctly puckery cranberry flavors. Overall, not my favorite. Definitely lots of other Loire Cab Franc that I've liked more than this one. Perhaps it needs a couple more years in bottle, or perhaps I should have tried their higher end cuvee instead of their basic one. C-

The thing with red wines is they generally like some air, I think, as the tannins buffer against oxidation. I don't care so much about the oak flavor--but I think the bit of oxygenation makes a more complete wine. A little oak flavor, I do admit, can be nice.

Let me know what you find in Paris. I have a feeling we get many of the best Loire reds, though not all, especially with respect to tiny producers. Meanwhile, all the insipid co-op stuff--the equivalent of our Woodbridge or BV Coastal Estates--ends up in grocery stores.

Haven't had it. Doesn't look like it's anywhere in LA right now. It is a Polaner wine though, just like the Tuffe.

And yeah, Paris...I am excited to see what kind of wine culture they have. I haven't been there for 10 years, and I didn't even really like wine when I went the first time. Just from reading, it seems like there are a lot of cool wine bars and you can get good cheap wine in a lot of places.